Shoe-lace fastener.



v A. L. FRANZ.

SHOE LACE FASTENER. APPLICATION FILED T11R28, 1911.

1,018,557. Patented Feb. 27, 1912.

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COLUMBM PLANOGRAPH CD-IWASHINGTON. u c

AUGUST E. FRANZ, OF WEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

SHOE-LACE FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 28, 1911.

Patented Feb. 2'7, 1912. Serial No. 611,348.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUoUs'r E. FRANZ, a citizen of the United States,residing at West Chester, in the county of Chester and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Lace Fasteners, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention is an improved fastener for shoe laces and other likearticles, to prevent the same from slipping and becoming untied, theobject of the invention being to provide a novel form of fastener ofthis character which is extremely cheap and simple, may be readilyoperated, and which is capable of being ornamented so that it maypresent a very sightly appearance.

The invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangementof devices hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawingsFigure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view ofthe shoe lace fastener constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig.2 is partly a plan and partly a sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is aperspective view of the same.

My improved shoe lace fastener has a casing which is here shown ascomprising a pair of circular plates 1, which are connected together bypins 2, 3 and 4, which are appropriately spaced apart. These pins serveto connect the plates and to retain them in spaced relation. The plates1 are provided with centrally disposed openings 5, which are preferablyrectangular in form. A pair of locking arms 6 are disposed in the spacebetween the plates 1, and also between the pins or studs 3, 4C. Theselocking arms converge toward the pin 2, and their converging ends areconnected together by a spring coil 7 which encircles the pin 2. Thespring locking arms are provided at their outer ends which projectbeyond the plates 1, with loops or eyes 8, which may be readily graspedand moved toward each other, so as to impart corresponding movement tothe arms against the tension of the spring coil 7.

When applying the fastener to the end portions of a shoe lace, the shoelace has its end portions passed through the openings 5, and disposed onthe outer sides of the arms 6. This may be readily done by first movingeach arm inwardly so as to clear and move past the openings 5, beforepassing the ends of the lace through the said openings. The arms act bythe spring 7 to move outwardly and become engaged with the opposingsides of the pins 3, 4:, and hence bights are formed in the lace betweenthe plates 1, and the said arms lie in the bights of the lace and drawoutwardly thereon, thus clamping the lace between the plates 1, andagainst the sides of the openings 5, and hence securely holding thefastener on the lace and preventing it from slipping.

It will be understood that the ends of the lace on the outer side of thefastener may be tied in any suitable bow, and it will also be understoodthat the fastener may be made of any suitable material, and may ifpreferred, be ornamented so that while acting as a fastener for ashoelace, it will also serve as an adornment for the shoe.

To release the fastener from the lace to permit the adjustment orremoval of the lace, it is only necessary to press the arms 6 towardeach other, to cause them to occupy a position across the centers of theopenings 5, and the fastener may then be readily slipped on the lace.

I claim 1. A shoelace fastener of the class described comprising a bodyhaving a pair of spaced walls provided with openings to enable ashoelace to be passed therethrough, pins connecting the walls togetherand a pair of spring locking arms disposed in the space between and alsospaced from the plates and converging in one direction and movabletoward and from each other across the openings of the spaced plates, theconverging ends of the said locking arms being connected to one of thepins, the other pins forming stops to limit the outward movement of saidlocking arms.

2. The herein described shoelace fastener comprising a body having apair of spaced walls provided with central openings to enable a shoelaceto be passed therethrough, pins connecting the walls together, a pair oflocking arms disposed in the space between the walls, spaced from thesaid walls and also disposed between two of the said pins,

said locking arms converglng toward another pin and their convergingends being connected together by a spring coil which encircles the lastmentioned pin. to

In testimony whereof I hereunto afliX my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Gommissioner of I Pa tents,

Washington, D. G. i

